Norris, who is expected to gain the Democratic nomination next week to oppose incumbent Republican Bill Kennemer of Oregon City, was quick to express criticism of the Democratic leadership of the Legislature in an interview with The Oregonian.

"I've been critical of the leadership in the Oregon Legislature," Norris said. "It's partisan, unfocused."

When asked if she was specifically referring to the Democratic leadership, Norris added, "I think the Democratic leadership made some good progress for sure. But if I were there, I would help them set priorities."

Norris expressed skepticism about the Measure 66 and 67 tax hikes passed by the Legislature and later ratified by voters despite bitter opposition from the business community.

"That wouldn't have been the way I would have solved the problem," she said.

Clackamas County Democratic precinct officials will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Oregon City to pick a replacement for Forsberg, who said he is leaving the race because he needs to spend more time with his family.

Kennemer issued a statement Wednesday saying that political committees and other special interests would once again spend heavily to try to defeat him as they did in 2008. That year, Kennemer beat Forsberg by only about 500 votes.

"I've proven I have an independent voting record in Salem and that scares the people who want to perpetuate the partisanship and special interest driven approach that's become too prevalent," Kennemer said.

Despite their comments, both Norris and Kennemer will depend on strong support from their respective party caucuses in the fall campaign. One business lobbyist privately said that Kennemer could face a tougher race now because Forsberg had not done much campaigning or fundraising this year.

Norris, 65, has been mayor of Oregon City for the past eight years and said she has a strong record of helping the city recover from being "on the verge of bankruptcy and economically depressed.

She and her husband, a physician, have three children and five grandchildren and have lived in Oregon City for 36 years.